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Fish/ Hearty Dinners/ Pasta

Tuna Puttanesca

February 10, 2023 by Chris Collins

This Tuna Puttanesca is so simple to make and even more delicious to eat!

Spaghetti alla puttanesca is such a simple dish, but it’s so darn tasty. I know it might sound and look a little fancy, but it’s one of my go-tos when I need an easy quick carb fix. Follow me…

overhead shot of tuna puttanesca pasta in large white bowl garnished with fresh parsley

Spaghetti Puttanesca

You actually don’t need many ingredients to whip up a classic puttanesca. It seems recipes do differ from region to region in Italy, and I’m in no way saying this version is truly authentic, but here’s what you’ll need for my take on the classic:

Spaghetti Puttanesca Ingredients

  • Spaghetti – or any other long-cut pasta.
  • Tomatoes – canned chopped tomatoes work perfectly here.
  • Oil – you’ll want a fair amount of good quality extra virgin olive oil to create a gorgeous, silky sauce.
  • Garlic – this adds heaps of flavour. I like very thin slices for a more rustic finish.
  • Olives – traditionally you’d see black olives, but I much prefer the flavour of kalamata olives.
  • Anchovies – these are a crucial ingredient. You won’t taste them, they melt into the sauce and offer a nice salty (not fishy!) flavour.
  • Capers – these add to the salty, tangy flavours of the dish.
  • Parsley – and lots of it! I divide a bunch into ‘stalks’ and ‘leaves’. I then fry and simmer the stalks, then toss through the leaves at the end.
  • Chilli Flakes – work to spice preference, but this dish should offer a gentle kick of heat.

Puttanesca with Tuna

As you can see in the photo below, I’ve also got some tuna going in too. I LOVE adding tuna to this dish. It offers a boost of protein and takes on the flavours so amazingly well.

overhead shot of tuna puttanesca ingredients with text labels

Puttanesca Sauce

Start without heat

The first thing I recommend doing is infusing the oil. You’ll want to start with the oil in a pan with the heat OFF. From there, just add the garlic, capers, anchovies, parsley stalks and chilli flakes. As the heat gently rises, it tickles the flavour out of the ingredients. The anchovies will also begin to melt into the oil. Starting with the heat off also reduces the risk of the ingredients burning (namely the garlic, which turns bitter if it burns).

Simmering the sauce

In with the chopped tomatoes & olives, then give it a good simmer for 15-20mins. This not only thickens the sauce but will also help marry all the flavours together. The olives will soften and leak their gorgeous flavour into the sauce.

Process shots: add garlic, capers, anchovies, parsley stalks & chilli to oil in pan (photo 1), fry (photo 2), add tomatoes and olives (photo 3), simmer (photo 4), toss in spaghetti and parsley (photo 5), toss in tuna (photo 6).

6 step by step photos showing how to make tuna puttanesca

Tuna Puttanesca FAQ

Do I have to add tuna?

Nope! It is a lovely addition but this pasta is still delicious without it. Anchovies are non-negotiable though 😛

How do I stop the tuna from going mushy?

I recommend adding the tuna in right at the end, just so it doesn’t break up too much as you toss the pasta. Also, make sure you’re using tuna ‘chunks’ not tuna ‘flakes’.

close up shot of tuna puttanesca in pan with focus on tuna

Serving Tuna Puttanesca

When it comes to serving the pasta, I actually don’t serve with parmesan (I know, shock horror). But I’m sure you could sneak some on if you wanted, alongside any extra parsley you’ve got lurking around.

For more tuna pasta recipes check out my tuna pasta bake (Creamy Version or Tomato Version) and my Tuna Pasta Salad!

Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this tuna puttanesca shall we!?

close up shot of puttanesca with tuna in large white bowl garnished with parsley with silver fork blurred in background

How to make Tuna Puttanesca (Full Recipe & Video)

close up shot of tuna puttanesca in pan with focus on tuna

Tuna Puttanesca

This Tuna Puttanesca is so simple to make and even more delicious to eat!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Servings (click & slide): 4
Course: Dinner / Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories per serving: 664kcal
Cost per serving: £2.50 / $3

Equipment:

  • Large Deep Pan & Wooden Spoon
  • Large Pot & Tongs
  • Sharp Knife & Chopping Board

Ingredients (check list):

  • 14oz / 400g Spaghetti, or other long-cut pasta
  • 2x 14oz / 400g cans of Chopped Tomatoes
  • 2x 5oz/145g cans of Tuna Chunks, drained
  • 1/4 cup / 60ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 4oz / 120g Kalamata Olives, halved
  • 1 small bunch of Parsley, separate large stalks & leaves and finely dice both (1 small bunch of parsley is 1oz/30g)
  • 4 cloves of Garlic, very thinly sliced
  • 4 Anchovy Fillets, finely diced
  • 3 tbsp Capers
  • 1/2 tsp Chilli Flakes, or to spice preference
  • Salt & Black Pepper, as needed

Instructions:

  • Add the extra virgin olive oil to a large deep pan with the heat off. Add in the garlic, capers, anchovies, parsley stalks and chilli flakes. Turn heat to low-medium and allow everything to gently sizzle for a couple of mins, stirring frequently. The garlic should start to soften and just about start to take on a bit of colour. The anchovies should melt into the oil.
  • Pour in the tomatoes and swill each can out with 1/4 cup of water. Add the swilled water in too, alongside the olives. Give it a good stir and allow to simmer for 15-20mins until it thickens up.
  • After around 5 or so mins of simmering, add the pasta to salted boiling water and cook until al dente. Don't drain.
  • Once thickened, season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste (may not need salt as capers & anchovies already salty). Use tongs to transfer the pasta straight from the pot into the sauce and toss to combine with the rest of the parsley. Add in a splash of the pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed.
  • Add the tuna and give a final toss (don't over-mix as the tuna can turn mushy). Serve up and enjoy!

Quick 1 min demo!

Notes:

a) Anchovies - These are crucial ingredients so don't leave them out. They melt right into the sauce and leave a nice salty flavour (that isn't fishy at all!).
b) Consistency - The sauce should thicken around the pasta and lightly coat it. The pasta water is important as the starch can help emulsify the oils in the sauce. If you go overboard with the water just continue to gently simmer and toss until the sauce re-thickens.
c) Quality Ingredients - This is quite a subtle sauce so it's important to try and use good quality ingredients (namely the olives, olive oil and chopped tomatoes). Fresh parsley is a must, don't use dried!
d) Calories - Whole recipe divided by 4.

Your Private Notes:

Nutrition:

Nutrition Facts
Tuna Puttanesca
Amount Per Serving
Calories 664 Calories from Fat 187
% Daily Value*
Fat 20.76g32%
Saturated Fat 2.993g15%
Trans Fat 0.007g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Monounsaturated Fat 13.519g
Cholesterol 21mg7%
Sodium 930mg39%
Potassium 1277mg36%
Carbohydrates 94.9g32%
Fiber 8.4g34%
Sugar 12.58g14%
Protein 27.96g56%
Vitamin A 1769IU35%
Vitamin C 31.9mg39%
Calcium 107mg11%
Iron 6.66mg37%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.
Tried this recipe?Show me how you got on by tagging @dontgobaconmyheart_ on IG and #dontgobaconmyheart
Looking for more?You'll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook 'Comfy'

For more similar recipes check out these beauties:

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1 Comment

  • Reply
    Chris
    September 9, 2023 at 11:08 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! This recipe is a keeper! My husband and I loved it! Thank you for posting this recipe!

  • 5 KNOCKOUT

    DINNERS

    YOU'LL NEVER STOP MAKING!

    A FREE EMAIL SERIES, FROM ONE FOODIE TO ANOTHER